How to Focus on Stormwater Drainage While Doing Earthmoving

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Optimising the Use of Heavy Construction Equipment

Welcome to my blog. My name is Rick. I have moved a few times throughout the last few years and one of my biggest goals each time is to redo my landscaping and change up my lawn and garden. When I look at a piece of land, I can see perfectly how it could be developed and built upon. I have spent a great deal of time learning about earthmoving and construction. I have decided to start this blog so that I can share important information about heavy construction equipment and how it's used in landscaping and development. I hope my articles, which cover a wide range of industry topics, will answer any questions you may have.

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How to Focus on Stormwater Drainage While Doing Earthmoving

23 January 2018
 Categories: , Blog


When you develop a piece of land, you have to think about storm water drainage. Rather than waiting until you are deep in the midst of your project, you may want to think about stormwater drainage during the excavation process. Here are a few essential ways to incorporate stormwater drainage into your earthmoving efforts.

1. Work With the Land

When you are doing earthmoving, you can hire some huge machines and flatten the land, or you can take a more nuanced approach. To make stormwater drainage easier to deal with in the long run, you may want to work with the land. Look at the natural swells and depressions in the land, and see if you can develop the plot around those elements.

Ultimately, you want to clear the land in a way that makes space for your buildings and your landscaping. But, you also want to work with gravity so that stormwater can easily move through your space.

2. Consider Putting Buildings on Elevated Spots

In terms of working with the land, consider developing your lot so that your buildings are located on the highest part of your development. This reduces the amount of earthmoving you need to do, but it also helps to protect your buildings and their foundations in the long run.

When rain hits the roof of your buildings, it should travel to the ground through the guttering systems. Then, if your buildings are on flat land, the water can pool and damage the foundations, but if your buildings are slightly elevated, the water will run away from them.

3. Choose Versatile Earthmoving Machinery

If you simply want to clear the whole plot of land and make everything level, a bulldozer can be ideal. However, if you also want to incorporate storm drainage solutions into this part of your project, you may want to hire more versatile earthmoving equipment.

For instance, if you hire a backhoe, you can use the front loader for the heavy duty excavation work. Then, you can use the back bucket for digging drainage canals.

4. Protect Against Runoff and Erosion

Ideally, you shouldn't just think about long term stormwater drainage. You should also think about the impact that earthmoving can have on stormwater drainage in your area. In most cases, when you are excavating a plot, that opens the area to increased erosion until you finish the work.

You should take steps to prevent debris and dirt from rushing into and clogging nearby waterways. For example, you may want to surround vulnerable areas with filter socks. They let water go through but stop dirt and debris.

5. Hire a Professional

For more help and tips, consider hiring an earthmoving professional. They can give you tips and ideas and help guide you through this project.